Configurable motion detection and alerts for audio/video recording and communication devices

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments provide a method for separating the motion detection zone(s) of an A/V recording and communication device from the motion alert zone(s) of the A/V recording and communication device. For example, an A/V recording and communication device may be configured to generate motion alerts, and to record audio and video footage, when an event is detected within a selected motion alert zone (e.g., within a defined radius around the A/V recording and communication device). However, the A/V recording and communication device may not generate a motion alert for an event detected outside of the selected motion alert zone, even though the device may still record audio and video footage for the detected event (e.g., when the event is within a selected motion detection zone).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No.62/350,057, filed on Jun. 14, 2016, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present embodiments relate to audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication devices, including A/V recording and communicationdoorbells and A/V recording and communication security cameras. Inparticular, the present embodiments relate to improvements in thefunctionality of A/V recording and communication devices that strengthenthe ability of such devices to reduce crime and enhance public safety.

BACKGROUND

Home security is a concern for many homeowners and renters. Thoseseeking to protect or monitor their homes often wish to have video andaudio communications with visitors, for example, those visiting anexternal door or entryway. Audio/Video (A/V) recording and communicationdevices, such as doorbells and security cameras, provide thisfunctionality, and can also aid in crime detection and prevention. Forexample, audio and/or video captured by an A/V recording andcommunication device can be uploaded to the cloud and recorded on aremote server. Subsequent review of the A/V footage can aid lawenforcement in capturing perpetrators of home burglaries and othercrimes. Further, the presence of one or more A/V recording andcommunication devices on the exterior of a home, such as a doorbell unitat the entrance to the home, acts as a powerful deterrent againstwould-be burglars.

SUMMARY

The various embodiments of the present configurable motion detection andalerts for audio/video (A/V) recording and communication devices haveseveral features, no single one of which is solely responsible for theirdesirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the presentembodiments as expressed by the claims that follow, their more prominentfeatures now will be discussed briefly. After considering thisdiscussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled“Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of thepresent embodiments provide the advantages described herein.

One aspect of the present embodiments includes the realization thatusers of A/V recording and communication devices do not necessarily wantto receive an alert every time their devices detect motion and recordfootage. For example, a given A/V recording and communication device maybe located in a high-traffic area, such as at the entrance to a homelocated on a busy street. Passing cars may from time to time triggermotion detection from the A/V recording and communication device. If theuser receives an alert for every one of these events, the user may soonsuffer from alert fatigue, which may cause the user to disable themotion detection function for his or her A/V recording and communicationdevice. That device will thus not be able to record any audio and videofootage in response to detecting motion, which may result in the devicelosing some of its value in identifying, apprehending, and prosecutingcriminal perpetrators. It would be advantageous, therefore, if the usercould configure the A/V recording and communication device such that itcan detect motion and record audio and video footage without generatingan excessive amount of motion alerts.

The present embodiments solve this problem by separating the motiondetection zone(s) of an A/V recording and communication device from themotion alert zone(s) of the A/V recording and communication device. Thatis, some of the present embodiments enable dual thresholds and/ordiffering criteria for motion detection and motion alerts generated bythe A/V recording and communication device. For example, an A/Vrecording and communication device may be configured to generate motionalerts, and to record audio and video footage, when an event is detectedwithin a selected motion alert zone (e.g., within a defined radiusaround the A/V recording and communication device). However, the A/Vrecording and communication device may not generate a motion alert foran event detected outside of the selected motion alert zone, even thoughthe device may still record audio and video footage for the detectedevent (e.g., when the event is within a selected motion detection zone).In certain of the present embodiments, the threshold for determiningwhether a motion alert for a user is generated or not may depend uponthe nature and/or magnitude of the detected motion rather than on thelocation of the detected motion. For example, if the size of the movingobject is above a threshold and/or if the magnitude of the detectedmotion is above a threshold, then a motion alert threshold may betriggered, and a motion alert for the user may be generated (A/V footagemay also be recorded by the A/V recording and communication device inthese instances). Conversely, if the size of the moving object is belowthe threshold and/or if the magnitude of the detected motion is belowthe threshold, then a motion detection threshold may be triggered andA/V footage may be recorded, but no motion alert for the user isgenerated.

In a first aspect, a computer-implemented method for an audio/video(A/V) recording and communication device is provided, the methodcomprising displaying, on a display of a computing device, a diagram ofa field of view about the A/V recording and communication device;determining whether an input has been received to adjust a motion alertrange of the A/V recording and communication device; when an input hasbeen received to adjust the motion alert range of the A/V recording andcommunication device, increasing or decreasing the motion alert range ofthe A/V recording and communication device; determining whether an inputhas been received to adjust a motion detection range of the A/Vrecording and communication device; when an input has been received toadjust the motion detection range of the A/V recording and communicationdevice, increasing or decreasing the motion detection range of the A/Vrecording and communication device; determining whether an input hasbeen received to save any changed settings; and when an input has beenreceived to save any changed settings, saving the changed settings.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the A/V recording andcommunication device includes a set of motion sensors.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the diagram comprises a setof motion zones, and wherein each of the motion zones corresponds to anarea of a field of view of at least one of the set of motion sensors.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, determining whether an inputhas been received to adjust the motion alert range or the motiondetection range of the A/V recording and communication device comprisesdetecting movement of a slider widget on the display of the computingdevice.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further comprises indicating acurrent setting of the motion alert range of the A/V recording andcommunication device with contrasting colors or shades of the same coloron the display of the computing device.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, a darker area indicates anarea where the A/V recording and communication device will generate amotion alert, and a lighter area indicates an area where the A/Vrecording and communication device will not generate a motion alert.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further comprises indicating acurrent setting of the motion detection range of the A/V recording andcommunication device with contrasting colors or shades of the same coloron the display of the computing device.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, a darker area indicates anarea where the A/V recording and communication device will detectmotion, and a lighter area indicates an area where the A/V recording andcommunication device will not detect motion.

In a second aspect, a non-transitory machine readable medium of anelectronic device storing an application executable by at least oneprocessing unit of the electronic device is provided, the applicationcomprising sets of instructions for displaying, on a display of acomputing device, a diagram of a field of view about the A/V recordingand communication device; determining whether an input has been receivedto toggle on or off a motion alert zone of the A/V recording andcommunication device; when an input has been received to toggle on oroff a motion alert zone of the A/V recording and communication device,toggling on or off a selected motion alert zone of the A/V recording andcommunication device; determining whether an input has been received totoggle on or off a motion detection zone of the A/V recording andcommunication device; when an input has been received to toggle on oroff a motion detection zone of the A/V recording and communicationdevice, toggling on or off a selected motion detection zone of the A/Vrecording and communication device; determining whether an input hasbeen received to save any changed settings; and when an input has beenreceived to save any changed settings, saving the changed settings.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the A/V recording andcommunication device includes at least one motion sensor.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the diagram comprises atleast one motion zone that corresponds to an area of a field of view ofthe at least one motion sensor.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the set of instructions fordetermining whether an input has been received to toggle on or off themotion alert zone of the A/V recording and communication devicecomprises a set of instructions for detecting a selection of the motionalert zone on the display of the computing device.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the set of instructions fordetermining whether an input has been received to toggle on or off themotion detection zone of the A/V recording and communication devicecomprises a set of instructions for detecting a selection of the motiondetection zone on the display of the computing device.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the program furthercomprises a set of instructions for indicating current settings of aplurality of motion alert zones of the A/V recording and communicationdevice with contrasting colors or shades of the same color on thedisplay of the computing device.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, darker areas indicate motionalert zones where the A/V recording and communication device willgenerate a motion alert, and lighter areas indicate motion alert zoneswhere the A/V recording and communication device will not generate amotion alert.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the program furthercomprises a set of instructions for indicating current settings of aplurality of motion detection zones of the A/V recording andcommunication device with contrasting colors or shades of the same coloron the display of the computing device.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, darker areas indicate motiondetection zones where the A/V recording and communication device willdetect motion, and lighter areas indicate motion detection zones wherethe A/V recording and communication device will not detect motion.

In a third aspect, a method for an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, the A/V recording and communicationdevice including a camera, a processor, and a communication module, themethod comprising detecting motion within a field of view of the cameraof the A/V recording and communication device; recording video imagescaptured within the field of view of the camera of the A/V recording andcommunication device; determining, at the processor, whether thedetected motion is within a defined radius around the A/V recording andcommunication device; and when the detected motion is within the definedradius around the A/V recording and communication device, transmitting,by the communication module, a motion alert to at least one clientdevice.

An embodiment of the third aspect further comprises, when the detectedmotion is outside the defined radius around the A/V recording andcommunication device, forgoing transmitting, by the communicationmodule, the motion alert to the at least one client device.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the radius around the A/Vrecording and communication device is defined by a user through a clientdevice associated with the A/V recording and communication device.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the device comprises aplurality of motion sensors, and wherein the defined radius comprises aplurality of motion zones each of which corresponds to an area of afield of view of at least one of the plurality of motion sensors.

Another embodiment of the third aspect further comprises, beforedetermining whether the detected motion is within the defined radius,transmitting, by the communication module, the recorded video images tothe at least one client device.

In a fourth aspect, a method for an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, the A/V recording and communicationdevice including a camera, a processor, and a communication module, themethod comprising the A/V recording and communication device detectingmotion within a field of view of the device, the processor determiningwhether the detected motion is within a defined radius around the A/Vrecording and communication device, if the detected motion is within thedefined radius around the A/V recording and communication device, thenthe camera recording video images of the field of view of the device,and the communication module transmitting a motion alert, and if thedetected motion is not within the defined radius around the A/Vrecording and communication device, then the camera recording videoimages of the field of view of the device, and the communication modulenot transmitting a motion alert.

In a fifth aspect, a method for an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, the A/V recording and communicationdevice including a camera, a processor, and a communication module, themethod comprising the A/V recording and communication device detectingmotion within a field of view of the device, the processor determiningwhether the detected motion is within a defined zone around the A/Vrecording and communication device, if the detected motion is within thedefined zone around the A/V recording and communication device, then thecamera recording video images of the field of view of the device, andthe communication module transmitting a motion alert, and if thedetected motion is not within the defined zone around the A/V recordingand communication device, then the camera recording video images of thefield of view of the device, and the communication module nottransmitting a motion alert.

In a sixth aspect, a method for an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, the A/V recording and communicationdevice including a camera, a processor, and a communication module, themethod comprising the A/V recording and communication device detectingmotion within a field of view of the device, the processor determiningwhether characteristics of an object that generated the detected motionmeet at least one defined parameter, if the characteristics of theobject that generated the detected motion meet the at least one definedparameter, then the camera recording video images of the field of viewof the device, and the communication module transmitting a motion alert,and if the characteristics of the object that generated the detectedmotion do not meet the at least one defined parameter, then the camerarecording video images of the field of view of the device, and thecommunication module not transmitting a motion alert.

In an embodiment of the sixth aspect, the at least one defined parametercomprises a threshold size of the object that generated the detectedmotion.

In another embodiment of the sixth aspect, the at least one definedparameter comprises a shape of the object that generated the detectedmotion.

In a seventh aspect, a method for an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, the A/V recording and communicationdevice including a camera, a processor, and a communication module, themethod comprising the A/V recording and communication device detectingmotion within a field of view of the device, the processor determiningwhether characteristics of the detected motion meet at least one definedparameter, if the characteristics of the detected motion meet the atleast one defined parameter, then the camera recording video images ofthe field of view of the device, and the communication moduletransmitting a motion alert, and if the characteristics of the detectedmotion do not meet the at least one defined parameter, then the camerarecording video images of the field of view of the device, and thecommunication module not transmitting a motion alert.

In an embodiment of the seventh aspect, the at least one definedparameter comprises a threshold magnitude of the detected motion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments of the present configurable motion detection andalerts for audio/video (A/V) recording and communication devices nowwill be discussed in detail with an emphasis on highlighting theadvantageous features. These embodiments depict the novel andnon-obvious configurable motion detection and alerts for audio/video(A/V) recording and communication devices shown in the accompanyingdrawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. These drawingsinclude the following figures, in which like numerals indicate likeparts:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a system for streamingand storing A/V content captured by an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device according to the present embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a front view of an A/V recording and communication doorbellaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the A/V recording and communication doorbell ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the A/V recording and communicationdoorbell of FIG. 2 attached to a mounting bracket according to an aspectof the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is cross-sectional right side view of the A/V recording andcommunication doorbell of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the A/V recording and communicationdoorbell and the mounting bracket of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are top and bottom views, respectively, of the A/Vrecording and communication doorbell and the mounting bracket of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are top and front views, respectively, of a passiveinfrared sensor holder of the A/V recording and communication doorbellof FIG. 2;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are top and front views, respectively, of a passiveinfrared sensor holder assembly of the A/V recording and communicationdoorbell of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the passive infrared sensor assembly of FIG.10A and a field of view thereof according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 12 a functional block diagram of the components of the A/Vrecording and communication doorbell of FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process for an A/V recording andcommunication doorbell according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another process for an A/V recordingand communication doorbell according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another process for an A/V recordingand communication doorbell according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a solar panel configured toprovide power to an A/V recording and communication device according toan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 17-19 are screenshots of a graphical user interface for modifyingsettings of an A/V recording and communication device according to anaspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 20A is a sequence diagram illustrating an aspect of the process ofFIG. 20;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating another process according to anaspect of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 21A and 21B are sequence diagrams illustrating aspects of theprocess of FIG. 21;

FIGS. 22-25 are screenshots of another graphical user interface formodifying settings of an A/V recording and communication deviceaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating another process according to anaspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26A is a sequence diagram illustrating an aspect of the process ofFIG. 26;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating another process according to anaspect of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 27A and 27B are sequence diagrams illustrating aspects of theprocess of FIG. 27;

FIGS. 28-29 are flowcharts illustrating processes according to aspectsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a functional block diagram of a client device on which thepresent embodiments may be implemented according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 31 is a functional block diagram of a general-purpose computingsystem on which the present embodiments may be implemented according tovarious aspects of present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description describes the present embodimentswith reference to the drawings. In the drawings, reference numbers labelelements of the present embodiments. These reference numbers arereproduced below in connection with the discussion of the correspondingdrawing features.

The embodiments of the present configurable motion detection and alertsfor audio/video (A/V) recording and communication devices are describedbelow with reference to the figures. These figures, and their writtendescriptions, indicate that certain components of the apparatus areformed integrally, and certain other components are formed as separatepieces. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatcomponents shown and described herein as being formed integrally may inalternative embodiments be formed as separate pieces. Those of ordinaryskill in the art will further appreciate that components shown anddescribed herein as being formed as separate pieces may in alternativeembodiments be formed integrally. Further, as used herein the termintegral describes a single unitary piece.

With reference to FIG. 1, the present embodiments include an audio/video(A/V) recording and communication device 100, such as a video doorbellor a security camera. While the present disclosure provides numerousexamples of methods and systems including A/V recording andcommunication doorbells, the present embodiments are equally applicablefor A/V recording and communication devices other than doorbells. Forexample, the present embodiments may include one or more A/V recordingand communication security cameras instead of, or in addition to, one ormore A/V recording and communication doorbells. An example A/V recordingand communication security camera may include substantially all of thestructure and functionality of the doorbells described herein, butwithout the front button and related components.

The A/V recording and communication device 100 may be located near theentrance to a structure (not shown), such as a dwelling, a business, astorage facility, etc. The A/V recording and communication device 100includes a camera 102, a microphone 104, and a speaker 106. The camera102 may comprise, for example, a high definition (HD) video camera, suchas one capable of capturing video images at an image display resolutionof 1080 p or better. While not shown, the A/V recording andcommunication device 100 may also include other hardware and/orcomponents, such as a housing, one or more motion sensors (and/or othertypes of sensors), a button, etc. The A/V recording and communicationdevice 100 may further include similar componentry and/or functionalityas the wireless communication doorbells described in U.S. Pat. No.9,584,775 (application Ser. No. 14/499,828) and U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 2015/0022618 (application Ser. No. 14/334,922), both of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties as if fully setforth.

With further reference to FIG. 1, the A/V recording and communicationdevice 100 may communicate with a user's network 110, which may be forexample a wired and/or wireless network. If the user's network 110 iswireless, or includes a wireless component, the network 110 may be aWi-Fi network compatible with the IEEE 802.11 standard and/or otherwireless communication standard(s). The user's network 110 is connectedto another network 112, which may comprise, for example, the Internetand/or a public switched telephone network (PSTN). As described below,the A/V recording and communication device 100 may communicate with theuser's client device 114 via the home network 110 and the network 112(Internet/PSTN). The user's client device 114 may comprise, for example,a mobile telephone (may also be referred to as a cellular telephone),such as a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or anothercommunication device. The user's client device 114 comprises a display(not shown) and related components capable of displaying streamingand/or recorded video images. The user's client device 114 may alsocomprise a speaker and related components capable of broadcastingstreaming and/or recorded audio, and may also comprise a microphone. TheA/V recording and communication device 100 may also communicate with oneor more remote storage device(s) 116 (may be referred to interchangeablyas “cloud storage device(s)”), one or more servers 118, and/or a backendAPI (application programming interface) 120 via the home wirelessnetwork 110 and the network 112 (Internet/PSTN). While FIG. 1illustrates the storage device 116, the server 118, and the backend API120 as components separate from the network 112, it is to be understoodthat the storage device 116, the server 118, and/or the backend API 120may be considered to be components of the network 112.

The network 112 may be any wireless network or any wired network, or acombination thereof, configured to operatively couple the abovementioned modules, devices, and systems as shown in FIG. 1. For example,the network 112 may include one or more of the following: a PSTN (publicswitched telephone network), the Internet, a local intranet, a PAN(Personal Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide AreaNetwork), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), a virtual private network(VPN), a storage area network (SAN), a frame relay connection, anAdvanced Intelligent Network (AIN) connection, a synchronous opticalnetwork (SONET) connection, a digital T1, T3, E1 or E3 line, a DigitalData Service (DDS) connection, a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)connection, an Ethernet connection, an ISDN (Integrated Services DigitalNetwork) line, a dial-up port such as a V.90, V.34, or V.34 bis analogmodem connection, a cable modem, an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)connection, or an FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) or CDDI(Copper Distributed Data Interface) connection. Furthermore,communications may also include links to any of a variety of wirelessnetworks, including WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), GPRS (GeneralPacket Radio Service), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication),LTE, VoLTE, LoRaWAN, LPWAN, RPMA, LTE Cat-“X” (e.g. LTE Cat 1, LTE Cat0, LTE CatM1, LTE Cat NB1), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), TDMA(Time Division Multiple Access), FDMA (Frequency Division MultipleAccess), and/or OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access)cellular phone networks, GPS, CDPD (cellular digital packet data), RIM(Research in Motion, Limited) duplex paging network, Bluetooth radio, oran IEEE 802.11-based radio frequency network. The network can furtherinclude or interface with any one or more of the following: RS-232serial connection, IEEE-1394 (Firewire) connection, Fibre Channelconnection, IrDA (infrared) port, SCSI (Small Computer SystemsInterface) connection, USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection, or otherwired or wireless, digital or analog, interface or connection, mesh orDigi® networking.

According to one or more aspects of the present embodiments, when aperson (may be referred to interchangeably as “visitor”) arrives at theA/V recording and communication device 100, the A/V recording andcommunication device 100 detects the visitor's presence and beginscapturing video images within a field of view of the camera 102. The A/Vcommunication doorbell 100 may also capture audio through the microphone104. The A/V recording and communication device 100 may detect thevisitor's presence using one or more motion sensors of the device,and/or by detecting that the visitor has depressed a doorbell button ofthe A/V recording and communication device 100 (e.g., if the A/Vrecording and communication device 100 is a video doorbell).

In response to the detection of the visitor, the A/V recording andcommunication device 100 sends an alert to the user's client device 114(FIG. 1) via the user's home wireless network 110 and the network 112.The A/V recording and communication device 100 also sends streamingvideo, and may also send streaming audio, to the user's client device114. If the user answers the alert, two-way audio communication may thenoccur between the visitor and the user through the A/V recording andcommunication device 100 and the user's client device 114. The user mayview the visitor throughout the duration of the call, but the visitorcannot see the user (unless the A/V recording and communication device100 includes a display, which it may in some embodiments).

The video images captured by the camera 102 of the A/V recording andcommunication device 100 (and the audio captured by the microphone 104)may be uploaded to the cloud and recorded on the remote storage device116 (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the video and/or audio may berecorded on the remote storage device 116 even if the user chooses toignore the alert sent to his or her client device 114.

With further reference to FIG. 1, the system may further comprise abackend API 120 including one or more components. A backend API(application programming interface) may comprise, for example, a server(e.g. a real server, or a virtual machine, or a machine running in acloud infrastructure as a service), or multiple servers networkedtogether, exposing at least one API to client(s) accessing it. Theseservers may include components such as application servers (e.g.software servers), depending upon what other components are included,such as a caching layer, or database layers, or other components. Abackend API may, for example, comprise many such applications, each ofwhich communicate with one another using their public APIs. In someembodiments, the API backend may hold the bulk of the user data andoffer the user management capabilities, leaving the clients to have verylimited state.

The backend API 120 illustrated FIG. 1 may include one or more APIs. AnAPI is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software andapplications. An API expresses a software component in terms of itsoperations, inputs, outputs, and underlying types, definingfunctionalities that are independent of their respectiveimplementations, which allows definitions and implementations to varywithout compromising the interface. Advantageously, an API may provide aprogrammer with access to an application's functionality without theprogrammer needing to modify the application itself, or even understandhow the application works. An API may be for a web-based system, anoperating system, or a database system, and it provides facilities todevelop applications for that system using a given programming language.In addition to accessing databases or computer hardware like hard diskdrives or video cards, an API can ease the work of programming GUIcomponents. For example, an API can facilitate integration of newfeatures into existing applications (a so-called “plug-in API”). An APIcan also assist otherwise distinct applications with sharing data, whichcan help to integrate and enhance the functionalities of theapplications.

The backend API 120 illustrated in FIG. 1 may further include one ormore services (also referred to as network services). A network serviceis an application that provides data storage, manipulation,presentation, communication, and/or other capability. Network servicesare often implemented using a client-server architecture based onapplication-layer network protocols. Each service may be provided by aserver component running on one or more computers (such as a dedicatedserver computer offering multiple services) and accessed via a networkby client components running on other devices. However, the client andserver components can both be run on the same machine. Clients andservers may have a user interface, and sometimes other hardwareassociated with them.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate an audio/video (A/V) communication doorbell 130according to an aspect of present embodiments. FIG. 2 is a front view,FIG. 3 is a rear view, and FIG. 4 is a left side view of the doorbell130 coupled with a mounting bracket 137. The doorbell 130 includes afaceplate 135 mounted to a back plate 139 (FIG. 3). With reference toFIG. 4, the faceplate 135 has a substantially flat profile. Thefaceplate 135 may comprise any suitable material, including, withoutlimitation, metals, such as brushed aluminum or stainless steel, metalalloys, or plastics. The faceplate 135 protects the internal contents ofthe doorbell 130 and serves as an exterior front surface of the doorbell130.

With reference to FIG. 2, the faceplate 135 includes a button 133 and alight pipe 136. The button 133 and the light pipe 136 may have variousprofiles that may or may not match the profile of the faceplate 135. Thelight pipe 136 may comprise any suitable material, including, withoutlimitation, transparent plastic, that is capable of allowing lightproduced within the doorbell 130 to pass through. The light may beproduced by one or more light-emitting components, such aslight-emitting diodes (LED's), contained within the doorbell 130, asfurther described below. The button 133 may make contact with a buttonactuator (not shown) located within the doorbell 130 when the button 133is pressed by a visitor. When pressed, the button 133 may trigger one ormore functions of the doorbell 130, as further described below.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the doorbell 130 further includes anenclosure 131 that engages the faceplate 135. In the illustratedembodiment, the enclosure 131 abuts an upper edge 135T (FIG. 2) of thefaceplate 135, but in alternative embodiments one or more gaps betweenthe enclosure 131 and the faceplate 135 may facilitate the passage ofsound and/or light through the doorbell 130. The enclosure 131 maycomprise any suitable material, but in some embodiments the material ofthe enclosure 131 preferably permits infrared light to pass through frominside the doorbell 130 to the environment and vice versa. The doorbell130 further includes a lens 132. In some embodiments, the lens maycomprise a Fresnel lens, which may be patterned to deflect incominglight into one or more infrared sensors located within the doorbell 130.The doorbell 130 further includes a camera 134, which captures videodata when activated, as described below.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the doorbell 130, according to an aspect of thepresent embodiments. As illustrated, the enclosure 131 may extend fromthe front of the doorbell 130 around to the back thereof and may fitsnugly around a lip of the back plate 139. The back plate 139 maycomprise any suitable material, including, without limitation, metals,such as brushed aluminum or stainless steel, metal alloys, or plastics.The back plate 139 protects the internal contents of the doorbell 130and serves as an exterior rear surface of the doorbell 130. Thefaceplate 135 may extend from the front of the doorbell 130 and at leastpartially wrap around the back plate 139, thereby allowing a coupledconnection between the faceplate 135 and the back plate 139. The backplate 139 may have indentations in its structure to facilitate thecoupling.

With further reference to FIG. 3, spring contacts 140 may provide powerto the doorbell 130 when mated with other conductive contacts connectedto a power source. The spring contacts 140 may comprise any suitableconductive material, including, without limitation, copper, and may becapable of deflecting when contacted by an inward force, for example theinsertion of a mating element. The doorbell 130 further comprises aconnector 160, such as a micro-USB or other connector, whereby powerand/or data may be supplied to and from the components within thedoorbell 130. A reset button 159 may be located on the back plate 139,and may make contact with a button actuator (not shown) located withinthe doorbell 130 when the reset button 159 is pressed. When the resetbutton 159 is pressed, it may trigger one or more functions, asdescribed below.

FIG. 4 is a left side profile view of the doorbell 130 coupled to themounting bracket 137, according to an aspect of the present embodiments.The mounting bracket 137 facilitates mounting the doorbell 130 to asurface, such as the exterior of a building, such as a home or office.As illustrated in FIG. 4, the faceplate 135 may extend from the bottomof the doorbell 130 up to just below the camera 134, and connect to theback plate 139 as described above. The lens 132 may extend and curlpartially around the side of the doorbell 130. The enclosure 131 mayextend and curl around the side and top of the doorbell 130, and may becoupled to the back plate 139 as described above. The camera 134 mayprotrude slightly through the enclosure 131, thereby giving it a widerfield of view. The mounting bracket 137 may couple with the back plate139 such that they contact each other at various points in a commonplane of contact, thereby creating an assembly including the doorbell130 and the mounting bracket 137. The couplings described in thisparagraph, and elsewhere, may be secured by, for example and withoutlimitation, screws, interference fittings, adhesives, or otherfasteners. Interference fittings may refer to a type of connection wherea material relies on pressure and/or gravity coupled with the material'sphysical strength to support a connection to a different element.

FIG. 5 is a right side cross-sectional view of the doorbell 130 withoutthe mounting bracket 137. In the illustrated embodiment, the lens 132 issubstantially coplanar with the front surface 131F of the enclosure 131.In alternative embodiments, the lens 132 may be recessed within theenclosure 131 or may protrude outward from the enclosure 131. The camera134 is coupled to a camera printed circuit board (PCB) 147, and a lens134 a of the camera 134 protrudes through an opening in the enclosure131. The camera lens 134 a may be a lens capable of focusing light intothe camera 134 so that clear images may be taken.

The camera PCB 147 may be secured within the doorbell with any suitablefasteners, such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc.The camera PCB 147 comprises various components that enable thefunctionality of the camera 134 of the doorbell 130, as described below.Infrared light-emitting components, such as infrared LED's 168, arecoupled to the camera PCB 147 and may be triggered to activate when alight sensor detects a low level of ambient light. When activated, theinfrared LED's 168 may emit infrared light through the enclosure 131and/or the camera 134 out into the ambient environment. The camera 134,which may be configured to detect infrared light, may then capture thelight emitted by the infrared LED's 168 as it reflects off objectswithin the camera's 134 field of view, so that the doorbell 130 canclearly capture images at night (may be referred to as “night vision”).

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the doorbell 130 further comprises afront PCB 146, which in the illustrated embodiment resides in a lowerportion of the doorbell 130 adjacent a battery 166. The front PCB 146may be secured within the doorbell 130 with any suitable fasteners, suchas screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. The front PCB146 comprises various components that enable the functionality of theaudio and light components, as further described below. The battery 166may provide power to the doorbell 130 components while receiving powerfrom the spring contacts 140, thereby engaging in a trickle-chargemethod of power consumption and supply. Alternatively, the doorbell 130may draw power directly from the spring contacts 140 while relying onthe battery 166 only when the spring contacts 140 are not providing thepower necessary for all functions.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the doorbell 130 further comprises apower PCB 148, which in the illustrated embodiment resides behind thecamera PCB 147. The power PCB 148 may be secured within the doorbell 130with any suitable fasteners, such as screws, or interferenceconnections, adhesives, etc. The power PCB 148 comprises variouscomponents that enable the functionality of the power and device-controlcomponents, as further described below.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the doorbell 130 further comprises acommunication module 164 coupled to the power PCB 148. The communicationmodule 164 facilitates communication with client devices in one or moreremote locations, as further described below. The connector 160 mayprotrude outward from the power PCB 148 and extend through a hole in theback plate 139. The doorbell 130 further comprises passive infrared(PIR) sensors 144, which are secured on or within a PIR sensor holder143, and the assembly resides behind the lens 132. The PIR sensor holder143 may be secured to the doorbell 130 with any suitable fasteners, suchas screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. The PIR sensors144 may be any type of sensor capable of detecting and communicating thepresence of a heat source within their field of view. Further,alternative embodiments may comprise one or more motion sensors eitherin place of or in addition to the PIR sensors 144. The motion sensorsmay be configured to detect motion using any methodology, such as amethodology that does not rely on detecting the presence of a heatsource within a field of view.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the doorbell 130 and the mounting bracket137 according to an aspect of the present embodiments. The mountingbracket 137 is configured to be mounted to a mounting surface (notshown) of a structure, such as a home or an office. FIG. 6 shows thefront side 137F of the mounting bracket 137. The mounting bracket 137 isconfigured to be mounted to the mounting surface such that the back side137B thereof faces the mounting surface. In certain embodiments, themounting bracket 137 may be mounted to surfaces of various composition,including, without limitation, wood, concrete, stucco, brick, vinylsiding, aluminum siding, etc., with any suitable fasteners, such asscrews, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. The doorbell 130may be coupled to the mounting bracket 137 with any suitable fasteners,such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, the illustrated embodiment of themounting bracket 137 includes the terminal screws 138. The terminalscrews 138 are configured to receive electrical wires adjacent themounting surface of the structure upon which the mounting bracket 137 ismounted, so that the doorbell 130 may receive electrical power from thestructure's electrical system. The terminal screws 138 are electricallyconnected to electrical contacts 177 of the mounting bracket. If poweris supplied to the terminal screws 138, then the electrical contacts 177also receive power through the terminal screws 138. The electricalcontacts 177 may comprise any suitable conductive material, including,without limitation, copper, and may protrude slightly from the face ofthe mounting bracket 137 so that they may mate with the spring contacts140 located on the back plate 139.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 (which is a rear view of the mountingbracket 137), the mounting bracket 137 further comprises a bracket PCB149. With reference to FIG. 7, the bracket PCB 149 is situated outsidethe doorbell 130, and is therefore configured for various sensors thatmeasure ambient conditions, such as an accelerometer 150, a barometer151, a humidity sensor 152, and a temperature sensor 153. The functionsof these components are discussed in more detail below. The bracket PCB149 may be secured to the mounting bracket 137 with any suitablefasteners, such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are top and bottom views, respectively, of the doorbell130. As described above, the enclosure 131 may extend from the frontface 131F of the doorbell 130 to the back, where it contacts and snuglysurrounds the back plate 139. The camera 134 may protrude slightlybeyond the front face 131F of the enclosure 131, thereby giving thecamera 134 a wider field of view. The mounting bracket 137 may include asubstantially flat rear surface 137R, such that the doorbell 130 and themounting bracket 137 assembly may sit flush against the surface to whichthey are mounted. With reference to FIG. 8B, the lower end of theenclosure 131 may include security screw apertures 141 configured toreceive screws or other fasteners.

FIG. 9A is a top view of the PIR sensor holder 143. The PIR sensorholder 143 may comprise any suitable material, including, withoutlimitation, metals, metal alloys, or plastics. The PIR sensor holder 143is configured to mount the PIR sensors 144 behind the lens 132 such thatthe PIR sensors 144 face out through the lens 132 at varying angles,thereby creating a wide field of view for the PIR sensors 144, anddividing the field of view into zones, as further described below. Withfurther reference to FIG. 9A, the PIR sensor holder 143 includes one ormore faces 178 within or on which the PIR sensors 144 may be mounted. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the PIR sensor holder 143 includes threefaces 178, with each of two outer faces 178 angled at 55° with respectto a center one of the faces 178. In alternative embodiments, the angleformed by adjacent ones of the faces 178 may be increased or decreasedas desired to alter the field of view of the PIR sensors 144.

FIG. 9B is a front view of the PIR sensor holder 143. In the illustratedembodiment, each of the faces 178 includes a through hole 180 in whichthe PIR sensors 144 may be mounted. First and second brackets 182,spaced from one another, extend transversely across the PIR sensorholder 143. Each of the brackets 182 includes notches 184 at either end.The brackets 182 may be used to secure the PIR sensor holder 143 withinthe doorbell 130. In alternative embodiments, the through holes 180 inthe faces 178 may be omitted. For example, the PIR sensors 144 may bemounted directly to the faces 178 without the through holes 180.Generally, the faces 178 may be comprise any structure configured tolocate and secure the PIR sensors 144 in place.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are top and front views, respectively, of a PIR sensorassembly 179, including the PIR sensor holder 143, the lens 132, and aflexible power circuit 145. The PIR sensor holder 143 may be secured toa rear face 132R of the lens 132, as shown, with the brackets 182abutting the rear face 132R of the lens 132. The flexible power circuit145, which may be any material or component capable of delivering powerand/or data to and from the PIR sensors 144, is secured to a rear face143R of the PIR sensor holder 143, and may be contoured to match theangular shape of the PIR sensor holder 143. The flexible power circuit145 may connect to, draw power from, and/or transmit data to and/orfrom, the power PCB 148 (FIG. 5).

FIG. 11 is a top view of the PIR sensor assembly 179 illustrating thefields of view of the PIR sensors 144. Each PIR sensor 144 includes afield of view, referred to as a “zone,” that traces an angle extendingoutward from the respective PIR sensor 144. Zone 1 is the area that isvisible only to Passive Infrared Sensor 144-1. Zone 2 is the area thatis visible only to the PIR sensors 144-1 and 144-2. Zone 3 is the areathat is visible only to Passive Infrared Sensor 144-2. Zone 4 is thearea that is visible only to the PIR sensors 144-2 and 144-3. Zone 5 isthe area that is visible only to Passive Infrared Sensor 144-3. Thedoorbell 130 may be capable of determining the direction that an objectis moving based upon which zones are triggered in a time sequence. Inthe illustrated embodiment, each zone extends across an angle of 110°.In alternative embodiments, each zone may extend across a differentangle, such as one greater than or less than 110°.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the components within or incommunication with the doorbell 130, according to an aspect of thepresent embodiments. As described above, the bracket PCB 149 maycomprise an accelerometer 150, a barometer 151, a humidity sensor 152,and a temperature sensor 153. The accelerometer 150 may be one or moresensors capable of sensing motion and/or acceleration. The barometer 151may be one or more sensors capable of determining the atmosphericpressure of the surrounding environment in which the bracket PCB 149 maybe located. The humidity sensor 152 may be one or more sensors capableof determining the amount of moisture present in the atmosphericenvironment in which the bracket PCB 149 may be located. The temperaturesensor 153 may be one or more sensors capable of determining thetemperature of the ambient environment in which the bracket PCB 149 maybe located. As described above, the bracket PCB 149 may be locatedoutside the housing of the doorbell 130 so as to reduce interferencefrom heat, pressure, moisture, and/or other stimuli generated by theinternal components of the doorbell 130.

With further reference to FIG. 12, the bracket PCB 149 may furthercomprise terminal screw inserts 154, which may be configured to receivethe terminal screws 138 and transmit power to the electrical contacts177 on the mounting bracket 137 (FIG. 6). The bracket PCB 149 may beelectrically and/or mechanically coupled to the power PCB 148 throughthe terminal screws 138, the terminal screw inserts 154, the springcontacts 140, and the electrical contacts 177. The terminal screws 138may receive electrical wires located at the surface to which thedoorbell 130 is mounted, such as the wall of a building, so that thedoorbell can receive electrical power from the building's electricalsystem. Upon the terminal screws 138 being secured within the terminalscrew inserts 154, power may be transferred to the bracket PCB 149, andto all of the components associated therewith, including the electricalcontacts 177. The electrical contacts 177 may transfer electrical powerto the power PCB 148 by mating with the spring contacts 140.

With further reference to FIG. 12, the front PCB 146 may comprise alight sensor 155, one or more light-emitting components, such as LED's156, one or more speakers 157, and a microphone 158. The light sensor155 may be one or more sensors capable of detecting the level of ambientlight of the surrounding environment in which the doorbell 130 may belocated. LED's 156 may be one or more light-emitting diodes capable ofproducing visible light when supplied with power. The speakers 157 maybe any electromechanical device capable of producing sound in responseto an electrical signal input. The microphone 158 may be anacoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor capable of converting soundwaves into an electrical signal. When activated, the LED's 156 mayilluminate the light pipe 136 (FIG. 2). The front PCB 146 and allcomponents thereof may be electrically coupled to the power PCB 148,thereby allowing data and/or power to be transferred to and from thepower PCB 148 and the front PCB 146.

The speakers 157 and the microphone 158 may be coupled to the cameraprocessor 170 through an audio CODEC 161. For example, the transfer ofdigital audio from the user's client device 114 and the speakers 157 andthe microphone 158 may be compressed and decompressed using the audioCODEC 161, coupled to the camera processor 170. Once compressed by audioCODEC 161, digital audio data may be sent through the communicationmodule 164 to the network 112, routed by one or more servers 118, anddelivered to the user's client device 114. When the user speaks, afterbeing transferred through the network 112, digital audio data isdecompressed by audio CODEC 161 and emitted to the visitor via thespeakers 157.

With further reference to FIG. 12, the power PCB 148 may comprise apower management module 162, a microcontroller 163, the communicationmodule 164, and power PCB non-volatile memory 165. In certainembodiments, the power management module 162 may comprise an integratedcircuit capable of arbitrating between multiple voltage rails, therebyselecting the source of power for the doorbell 130. The battery 166, thespring contacts 140, and/or the connector 160 may each provide power tothe power management module 162. The power management module 162 mayhave separate power rails dedicated to the battery 166, the springcontacts 140, and the connector 160. In one aspect of the presentdisclosure, the power management module 162 may continuously draw powerfrom the battery 166 to power the doorbell 130, while at the same timerouting power from the spring contacts 140 and/or the connector 160 tothe battery 166, thereby allowing the battery 166 to maintain asubstantially constant level of charge. Alternatively, the powermanagement module 162 may continuously draw power from the springcontacts 140 and/or the connector 160 to power the doorbell 130, whileonly drawing from the battery 166 when the power from the springcontacts 140 and/or the connector 160 is low or insufficient. The powermanagement module 162 may also serve as a conduit for data between theconnector 160 and the microcontroller 163.

With further reference to FIG. 12, in certain embodiments themicrocontroller 163 may comprise an integrated circuit including aprocessor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Themicrocontroller 163 may receive input signals, such as data and/orpower, from the PIR sensors 144, the bracket PCB 149, the powermanagement module 162, the light sensor 155, the microphone 158, and/orthe communication module 164, and may perform various functions asfurther described below. When the microcontroller 163 is triggered bythe PIR sensors 144, the microcontroller 163 may be triggered to performone or more functions, such as those described below with reference toFIG. 14. When the light sensor 155 detects a low level of ambient light,the light sensor 155 may trigger the microcontroller 163 to enable“night vision,” as further described below. The microcontroller 163 mayalso act as a conduit for data communicated between various componentsand the communication module 164.

With further reference to FIG. 12, the communication module 164 maycomprise an integrated circuit including a processor core, memory, andprogrammable input/output peripherals. The communication module 164 mayalso be configured to transmit data wirelessly to a remote networkdevice, and may include one or more transceivers (not shown). Thewireless communication may comprise one or more wireless networks, suchas, without limitation, Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, and/or satellitenetworks. The communication module 164 may receive inputs, such as powerand/or data, from the camera PCB 147, the microcontroller 163, thebutton 133, the reset button 159, and/or the power PCB non-volatilememory 165. When the button 133 is pressed, the communication module 164may be triggered to perform one or more functions, such as thosedescribed below with reference to FIG. 13. When the reset button 159 ispressed, the communication module 164 may be triggered to erase any datastored at the power PCB non-volatile memory 165 and/or at the camera PCBmemory 169. The communication module 164 may also act as a conduit fordata communicated between various components and the microcontroller163. The power PCB non-volatile memory 165 may comprise flash memoryconfigured to store and/or transmit data. For example, in certainembodiments the power PCB non-volatile memory 165 may comprise serialperipheral interface (SPI) flash memory.

With further reference to FIG. 12, the camera PCB 147 may comprisecomponents that facilitate the operation of the camera 134. For example,an imager 171 may comprise a video recording sensor and/or a camerachip. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the imager 171 maycomprise a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) array, and maybe capable of recording high definition (720p or better) video files. Acamera processor 170 may comprise an encoding and compression chip. Insome embodiments, the camera processor 170 may comprise a bridgeprocessor. The camera processor 170 may process video recorded by theimager 171 and audio recorded by the microphone 158, and may transformthis data into a form suitable for wireless transfer by thecommunication module 164 to a network. The camera PCB memory 169 maycomprise volatile memory that may be used when data is being buffered orencoded by the camera processor 170. For example, in certain embodimentsthe camera PCB memory 169 may comprise synchronous dynamic random accessmemory (SD RAM). IR LED's 168 may comprise light-emitting diodes capableof radiating infrared light. IR cut filter 167 may comprise a systemthat, when triggered, configures the imager 171 to see primarilyinfrared light as opposed to visible light. When the light sensor 155detects a low level of ambient light (which may comprise a level thatimpedes the performance of the imager 171 in the visible spectrum), theIR LED's 168 may shine infrared light through the doorbell 130 enclosureout to the environment, and the IR cut filter 167 may enable the imager171 to see this infrared light as it is reflected or refracted off ofobjects within the field of view of the doorbell. This process mayprovide the doorbell 130 with the “night vision” function mentionedabove.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a processaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure. At block B200, avisitor presses the button 133 on the doorbell 130. At block B202, thecommunication module 164 sends a request to a network device. Once thenetwork device receives the request, at block B204 the network devicemay connect the doorbell 130 to the user's client device 114 through theuser's wireless network 110 and the network 112. In block B206, thedoorbell 130 may record available audio and/or video data using thecamera 134, the microphone 158, and/or any other sensor available. Atblock B208, the audio and/or video data is transmitted to the user'sclient device 114. At block B210, the user may receive a notification onhis or her client device 114 prompting him or her to either accept ordeny. If the user denies the notification, then the process advances toblock B214, where the audio and/or video data is recorded and stored ata cloud server. The session then ends at block B216 and the connectionbetween the doorbell 130 and the user's client device 114 is terminated.If, however, the user elects to accept the notification, then at blockB212 the user communicates with the visitor through the user's clientdevice 114 while being provided audio and/or video data captured by thecamera 134, the microphone 158, and/or other sensors. At the end of thecall, the user may terminate the connection between the user's clientdevice 114 and the doorbell 130 and the session ends at block B216. Insome embodiments, the audio and/or video data may be recorded and storedat a cloud server (block B214) even if the user accepts the notificationand communicates with the visitor through the user's client device 114.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a processaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure. At block B300, anobject may move into the field of view of one or more of the PIR sensors144. At block B302, the PIR sensors 144 may trigger the microcontroller163, which may then trigger the communication module 164 to send arequest to a network device. At block B304, the network device mayconnect the doorbell 130 to the user's client device 114 through theuser's wireless network 110 and the network 112. At block B306, thedoorbell 130 may record available audio and/or video data using thecamera 134, the microphone 158, and/or any other available sensor, andstream the data to the user's client device 114. At block B308, the usermay receive a notification prompting the user to either accept or denythe notification. If the notification is accepted, then at block B310 athe live audio/video data may be displayed on the user's client device114, thereby allowing the user surveillance from the perspective of thedoorbell 130. When the user is satisfied with this function, the usermay sever the connection at block B312, whereby the session ends. If,however, at block B308 the user denies the notification, or ignores thenotification and a specified time interval elapses, then the connectionbetween the doorbell 130 and the user's client device 114 is terminatedand the audio/video data is recorded and stored at a cloud server atblock B310 b, such that the user may view the audio/video data later attheir convenience. The doorbell 130 may be configured to record for aspecified period of time in the event the notification in block B308 isdenied or ignored. If such a time period is set, the doorbell 130 mayrecord data for that period of time before ceasing operation at blockB312 thereby ending the session. In some embodiments, the audio and/orvideo data may be recorded and stored at a cloud server (block B310 b)even if the user accepts the notification and communicates with thevisitor through the user's client device 114.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a processaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure. At block B400, theuser may select a “snooze time-out,” which is a time period during whichthe doorbell 130 may deactivate or otherwise not respond to stimuli(such as light, sound, or heat signatures) after an operation isperformed, e.g. a notification is either accepted or denied/ignored. Forexample, the user may set a snooze time-out of 15 minutes. At blockB402, an object moves into the field of view of one or more of the PIRsensors 144. At block B404, the microcontroller 163 may trigger thecommunication module 164 to send a request to a network device. In blockB406, the network device may connect the doorbell 130 to the user'sclient device 114 through the user's wireless network 110 and thenetwork 112. At block B408, audio/video data captured by the doorbell130 may be streamed to the user's client device 114. At block B410, theuser may receive a notification prompting the user to either accept ordeny/ignore the request. If the request is denied or ignored, then atblock B412 b audio/video data may be recorded and stored at a cloudserver. After the doorbell 130 finishes recording, the objects mayremain in the PIR sensor 144 field of view at block B414. In block B416,the microcontroller 163 waits for the “snooze time” to elapse, e.g. 15minutes, before triggering the communication module 164 to submitanother request to the network device. After the snooze time, e.g. 15minutes, elapses, the process moves back to block B404 and progresses asdescribed above. The cycle may continue like this until the user acceptsthe notification request at block B410. The process then moves to blockB412 a, where live audio and/or video data is displayed on the user'sclient device 114, thereby allowing the user surveillance from theperspective of the doorbell 130. At the user's request, the connectionmay be severed and the session ends at block B418. At this point theuser may elect for the process to revert back to block B416, wherebythere may be no further response until the snooze time, e.g. 15 minutes,has elapsed from the end of the previous session, or the user may electfor the process to return to block B402 and receive a notification thenext time an object is perceived by one or more of the PIR sensors 144.In some embodiments, the audio and/or video data may be recorded andstored at a cloud server (block B412 b) even if the user accepts thenotification and communicates with the visitor through the user's clientdevice 114.

As discussed above, the present disclosure provides numerous examples ofmethods and systems including A/V recording and communication doorbells,but the present embodiments are equally applicable for A/V recording andcommunication devices other than doorbells. For example, the presentembodiments may include one or more A/V recording and communicationsecurity cameras instead of, or in addition to, one or more A/Vrecording and communication doorbells. An example A/V recording andcommunication security camera may include substantially all of thestructure and functionality of the doorbell 130, but without the frontbutton 133, the button actuator, and/or the light pipe 136. An exampleA/V recording and communication security camera may further omit othercomponents, such as, for example, the bracket PCB 149 and itscomponents.

Some of the present embodiments may include an external solar panel forproviding power to the A/V recording and communication device. Forexample, FIG. 16 illustrates a solar panel 420 comprising a plurality ofphotovoltaic modules 422 including a packaged, connected assembly ofsolar cells. The solar modules 422 use light energy (photons) from thesun to generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect. The solarmodules 422 may include, for example, wafer-based crystalline siliconcells and/or thin-film cells based on, for example, cadmium telluride orsilicon. The solar cells are secured to a structural (load carrying)member 424, and may be rigid or semi-flexible. In one non-limitingexample, the total output power of the solar panel 420 may range fromabout 0.1 watts to about 5 watts, such as from about 0.5 watts to about1 watt.

The solar panel 420 may include a power cable 426 having a connector(not shown) at a distal end. The connector may comprise, for example, amicro-USB or other connector configured to be received by the connector160 of the doorbell 130. When the solar panel 420 is connected to thedoorbell 130 via the power cable 426 and the connectors, the solar panel420 may provide power to the doorbell 130 to recharge the battery 166and/or to power other components of the doorbell 130.

As discussed herein, audio/video (A/V) recording and communicationdevices are configured to record audio and video footage of events thattake place within their field of view. The recorded footage is useful inidentifying, apprehending, and prosecuting criminal perpetrators. Thus,it is advantageous for A/V recording and communication devices to recordas much footage as possible. However, users of A/V recording andcommunication devices do not necessarily want to receive an alert everytime their devices detect motion and record footage. For example, agiven A/V recording and communication device may be located in ahigh-traffic area, such as at the entrance to a home located on a busystreet. Passing cars may from time to time trigger motion detection fromthe A/V recording and communication device. If the user receives analert for every one of these events, the user may soon suffer from alertfatigue, which may cause the user to disable the motion detectionfunction for his or her A/V recording and communication device. Thatdevice will thus not be able to record any audio and video footage inresponse to detecting motion, which may result in the device losing someof its value in identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting criminalperpetrators. It would be advantageous, therefore, if the user couldconfigure the A/V recording and communication device so that it candetect motion and record audio and video footage without generating anexcessive amount of motion alerts. As described below, the presentembodiments provide these advantages.

For example, in certain embodiments according to the present disclosurethe motion detection and alert functionality of the A/V recording andcommunication device may be configurable. The A/V recording andcommunication device may generate motion alerts for detected motion inselected zone(s) and/or within a selected radius. The A/V recording andcommunication device may further record audio and video footage whenmotion is detected outside of the selected zone(s) and/or outside theselected radius, but the device may not generate motion alerts for theseevents. Events that occur outside of the selected zone(s) and/or outsidethe selected radius may thus be recorded and can be useful inidentifying, apprehending, and prosecuting criminal perpetrators, butthese events will not lead to alert fatigue for the user.

To achieve these advantages, certain of the present embodiments enabledual thresholds and/or differing criteria for motion detection andmotion alerts generated by the A/V recording and communication device.In one example, and as described in further detail below, a motion alertthreshold may only be triggered, and a motion alert for the user mayonly be generated, when motion is detected within a defined radiusaround the A/V recording and communication device, and/or when motion isdetected within one or more defined zones around the A/V recording andcommunication device. A/V footage may also be recorded by the A/Vrecording and communication device in these instances. Conversely, whenmotion is detected outside the defined radius around the A/V recordingand communication device, and/or when motion is detected outside of theone or more defined zones around the A/V recording and communicationdevice, a motion detection threshold may be triggered and A/V footagemay be recorded, but no motion alert for the user is generated.

In certain of the present embodiments, the threshold for determiningwhether a motion alert for the user is generated or not may depend uponthe nature and/or magnitude of the detected motion rather than on thelocation of the detected motion. For example, if the size of the movingobject is above a threshold and/or if the magnitude of the detectedmotion is above a threshold, then a motion alert threshold may betriggered, and a motion alert for the user may be generated. A/V footagemay also be recorded by the A/V recording and communication device inthese instances. Conversely, if the size of the moving object is belowthe threshold and/or if the magnitude of the detected motion is belowthe threshold, then a motion detection threshold may be triggered andA/V footage may be recorded, but no motion alert for the user isgenerated.

In certain embodiments according to the present disclosure, the user mayindependently configure motion alert settings and motion detectionsettings of the A/V recording and communication device. For example, theuser may set (or adjust) a first range for motion alerts (“motion alertrange”) and a second range for motion detection (“motion detectionrange”). The first range may be shorter than the second range. Inanother example, the user may select (or toggle ON and OFF) one or morezones (areas of the field of view of the A/V recording and communicationdevice) to be active or inactive for motion alerts (“motion alertzones”), and select (or toggle ON and OFF) one or more zones to beactive or inactive for motion detection (“motion detection zones”). Instill another example, the foregoing two examples may be combined. Forexample, the user may set (or adjust) ranges for motion alerts andmotion detection and also select (or toggle ON and OFF) one or morezones for motion alerts and motion detection. The user's changes to themotion alert settings and motion detection settings may affect thealerts that the user receives from the A/V recording and communicationdevice. For example, the user may turn off selected motion alert zonesand/or decrease the range for motion alerts to reduce “false alarm”alerts (or nuisance alerts), such as those generated by passing cars.

The user may configure motion alert settings and motion detectionsettings in any suitable fashion, such as with a graphical userinterface (GUI). The GUI may be displayed on the user's client device,which may be, for example, a computer or a mobile device, such as asmartphone. The user's client device may be, for example, the clientdevice 114 described above. Example GUIs, systems, and methods forconfiguring motion settings for A/V recording and communication devicesare described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/0191864 (applicationSer. No. 14/981,096 filed on Dec. 28, 2015), which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth.

FIGS. 17-19 are screenshots of one example of a GUI 430 for setting (oradjusting) a first range (or distance) for motion alerts (“motion alertrange”) and a second range (or distance) for motion detection (“motiondetection range”) of the A/V recording and communication device 130according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In one example, theuser may modify settings by selecting a menu choice from within asoftware application installed on the user's client device 114. The menuchoice may specify which of the motion detection range and the motionalert range should be modified in some of the present embodiments. Thatis, some aspects of the present embodiments may provide a first menuoption (or control button) for modifying the motion alert range and asecond menu option (or control button) for modifying the motiondetection range. In some aspects of the present embodiments the same GUI430 is used to adjust the motion alert range and the motion detectionrange, while in other embodiments different GUIs are presented to theuser for different types of adjustments (e.g., motion detectionadjustment and motion alert adjustment).

With reference to FIG. 17, upon selecting the menu choice for modifyingthe range settings of the A/V recording and communication device 130,the software application may display, on a display 806 (FIG. 30) of theuser's client device 114, a diagram 432 of the field of view about theA/V recording and communication device 130. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 17, the diagram 432 is a top view, but inalternative embodiments the diagram 432 may be presented from adifferent perspective, such as a front view or a side view.

With reference to FIGS. 17-19, the GUI 430 further includes a rangeadjustment component 434 that enables the user to set the first andsecond ranges for motion alerts and motion detection, respectively(collectively “motion sensitivity ranges”), for the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the motionsensitivity range adjustment component 434 comprises a slider widget. Afirst end 436, or lower end, of the range of the slider widget 434corresponds to a minimum motion sensitivity range (FIG. 17) of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130, and a second end 438, or upperend, of the range of the slider widget 434 corresponds to a maximummotion sensitivity range of the A/V recording and communication device130. By sliding the widget 434 upward, as shown in FIG. 18, the user mayincrease the motion sensitivity range of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130, and by sliding the widget downward, as shownin FIG. 17, the user may decrease the motion sensitivity range of theA/V recording and communication device 130. The first and second ends436, 438 of the slider widget 434 may include text indicating thedistance corresponding to the minimum and maximum motion sensitivityranges. With reference to FIG. 19, in the illustrated embodiment, theminimum range 440 is indicated as approximately five feet, while themaximum range 442 is indicated as approximately thirty feet. Theseranges are merely examples, and are not limiting. In fact, in certainembodiments the textual indicators of the minimum and maximum ranges maynot be provided at all.

With further reference to FIG. 17, the current range setting isindicated on the diagram 432 by contrasting colors or shades of the samecolor, with a darker area indicating the active or ON area 444 where theA/V recording and communication device 130 will detect motion and/ortrigger motion alerts, and a lighter area indicating the inactive or OFFarea 446 where the A/V recording and communication device 130 will notdetect motion and/or not trigger motion alerts. In the presentembodiments, the first range setting (for motion alerts) and the secondrange setting (for motion detection) may be set/adjusted on separatescreens within the application executing on the user's client device114, and each screen may include an indicator, such as text (not shown),that indicates to the user which setting is being adjusted on thatscreen. Alternatively, or in addition, the application executing on theuser's client device 114 may show the user one or more prompts beforeeach screen is displayed, or while each screen is displayed, on theclient device 114, with each prompt indicating which setting will beadjusted on the next screen, or on the current screen.

With further reference to FIG. 17, a transition area 448 between the ONarea and the OFF area is indicated by a color/shade between the darkerarea 444 and the lighter area 446, with the color of the transition area448 fading gradually toward the OFF area 446. In certain embodiments,the transition area 448 is part of the ON area 444, such that the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 will detect motion and/or triggermotion alerts in the transition area 448, but in other embodiments thetransition area 448 may be part of the OFF area 446, such that the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 will not detect motion and/ortrigger motion alerts in the transition area 448.

In the configuration of FIG. 17, the motion sensitivity range of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 is set to the minimum (sliderwidget 434 at first end 436). By contrast, in the configuration of FIG.18 the motion sensitivity range is set to the maximum (slider widget 434at second end 438), and in the configuration of FIG. 19, the motionsensitivity range is set roughly halfway between the minimum and maximumsettings. When the user has set a desired motion sensitivity range, heor she may select the SAVE button 450 to update that setting for the A/Vrecording and communication device 130. The user may then close thediagram 432 by selecting the BACK button 452, which may return the userto a previous screen (not shown) within the application executing on theuser's client device 114.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a process accordingto the present disclosure. According to the process shown in FIG. 20, auser may remotely modify the motion sensitivity settings of an A/Vrecording and communication device, such as the A/V doorbell 100(FIG. 1) or the A/V recording and communication device 130 (FIG. 2). Atblock B500, a diagram of the field of view about the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 is displayed on a display of the user's clientdevice 114. The diagram may be the same as, or similar to, the diagram432 described above with reference to FIGS. 17-19. The displaying of thediagram 432 on the display of the user's client device 114 may beperformed by application software executing on the user's client device114, for example.

With further reference to FIG. 20, at block B502 the process determineswhether an input has been received to adjust (increase or decrease) themotion alert range of the A/V recording and communication device 130.The input may come from the user, for example by sliding the sliderwidget 434 up or down on a motion alert range adjustment screendisplayed on the display 806 (FIG. 30), as described above withreference to FIGS. 17-19, followed by selecting the SAVE button 450. Ifan input is received to adjust the motion alert range of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130, then the process moves to blockB504, where the motion alert range of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 is increased or decreased and the changedsetting is saved. If, however, no input is received to adjust the motionalert range of the A/V recording and communication device 130, then theprocess moves to block B506.

At block B506, the process determines whether an input has been receivedto adjust the motion detection range of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. The input may come from the user, for exampleby sliding the slider widget 434 up or down on a motion detection rangeadjustment screen displayed on the display 806 (FIG. 30), as describedabove with reference to FIGS. 17-19, followed by selecting the SAVEbutton 450. If an input is received to adjust the motion detection rangeof the A/V recording and communication device 130, then the processmoves to block B508, where the motion detection range of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 is increased or decreased and thechanged setting is saved. The process then ends at block B510. If,however, no input is received to adjust the motion detection range ofthe A/V recording and communication device 130, then the process ends atblock B510.

In certain embodiments, saving any changed settings may further comprisesending the changed settings to a network and/or a network device (suchas the network 112, the server 118, and/or the backend API 120 of FIG.1), from which the A/V recording and communication device 130 maysubsequently download the changed settings. For example, to implementthe new motion sensitivity range settings in the A/V recording andcommunication device 130, the backend API 120 may communicate with theA/V recording and communication device 130. In the process of thecommunication, the backend API 120 may provide the updated user settingsand instruct the A/V recording and communication device 130 to overwriteany previous settings.

FIG. 20A is a sequence diagram illustrating an aspect of the process ofFIG. 20. As described above with reference to FIG. 20, one or more userinputs may be received to adjust (increase or decrease) the motion alertrange of the A/V recording and communication device 130 and/or to adjust(increase or decrease) the motion detection range of the A/V recordingand communication device 130. With reference to FIG. 20A, after theinput(s) are received at the user's client device 114, the user's clientdevice 114 may send a signal 512 to the backend API 120, and the backendAPI 120 may receive the signal 512 from the user's client device 114.The signal 512 may include the adjusted motion alert range and/or theadjusted motion detection range. After receiving the signal 512 from theuser's client device 114, the backend API 120 may send a signal 514 tothe A/V recording and communication device 130, and the A/V recordingand communication device 130 may receive the signal 514 from the backendAPI 120. The signal 514 may include the adjusted motion alert rangeand/or the adjusted motion detection range. After receiving the signal514 from the backend API 120, the A/V recording and communication device130 may execute a command included in the signal 514 to apply newsettings comprising the adjusted motion alert range and/or the adjustedmotion detection range.

In one or more alternative embodiments, the user may be prompted toinput a first value for setting a motion alert radius (first radius) andto input a second value for setting motion detection radius (secondradius). The prompt(s) may ask the user to input a numerical value foreach setting, with or without a diagram, such as the diagram 432 shownin the GUI 430 of FIGS. 17-19 and described above. In other alternativeembodiments, the user may be prompted to input only a motion alertradius, and the motion detection radius may be automatically set to amaximum range of the motion detection sensors and/or the camera. In suchembodiments, the motion detection radius may not be configurable by theuser, but may instead be permanently set to the maximum range of themotion detection sensors and/or the camera.

In still further alternative embodiments, the user may be promptedsimply to “opt in” to setting different thresholds for the A/V recordingand communication device 130 detecting motion vs. providing an alert tothe user. If the user opts in, the different thresholds for detectingmotion vs. providing an alert to the user may be automatically set bythe A/V recording and communication device 130. For example, thenumerical values for the ranges for detecting motion vs. providing analert to the user may not be configurable by the user, but may insteadbe automatically set. Then, if the user opts in, the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 operates with the different preset ranges fordetecting motion vs. providing an alert to the user. Similarly, theconfiguration of the zones for detecting motion vs. providing an alertto the user may not be configurable by the user, but may instead beautomatically set. Then, if the user opts in, the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 operates with the different preset ranges fordetecting motion vs. providing an alert to the user.

After the motion sensitivity settings of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 are changed, as described above, the user maythen receive motion alerts consistent with the changed settings, and theA/V recording and communication device 130 may record audio and videofootage consistent with the changed settings. For example, withreference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the user may set the motion alert range tothe minimum distance (FIG. 17) and set the motion detection range to themaximum distance (FIG. 18). The user will then receive motion alertsonly for detected motion that occurs within the active (dark) area 444of the diagram 432 of FIG. 17. For any detected motion that occursoutside of the active area 444 of the diagram 432 of FIG. 17, but alsowithin the active area 444 of the diagram 432 of FIG. 18, the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 will record audio and videofootage for that motion, but the user will not receive a motion alert.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart that illustrates the foregoing process accordingto the present disclosure. At block B516, motion is detected within thefield of view of the A/V recording and communication device 130. Theprocess then moves to block B518, where it is determined whether thedetected motion is within a defined radius around the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. The defined radius may correspond to themotion alert range described above. In some embodiments, themicrocontroller 163 (FIG. 12) may make the determination of whether thedetected motion is within the defined radius around the A/V recordingand communication device 130. If it is determined at block B518 that thedetected motion is not within the defined radius, then the process movesto block B520, where the camera 134 records video images of the field ofview of the A/V recording and communication device 130, but thecommunication module 164 of the A/V recording and communication device130 does not transmit a motion alert to the user (such as to the user'sclient device 114). If, however, it is determined at block B518 that thedetected motion is within the defined radius, then the process moves toblock B522, where the camera 134 records video images of the field ofview of the A/V recording and communication device 130, and thecommunication module 164 of the A/V recording and communication device130 transmits a motion alert to the user (such as to the user's clientdevice 114).

FIGS. 21A and 21B are sequence diagrams illustrating aspects of theprocess of FIG. 21. As described above with reference to FIG. 21, motionmay be detected within the field of view of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130, and it may be determined whether the detectedmotion is within a defined radius around the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. If the detected motion is not within thedefined radius around the A/V recording and communication device 130,then with reference to FIG. 21A the camera 134 records video images ofthe field of view of the A/V recording and communication device 130 andthe A/V recording and communication device 130 sends a signal 524 to thebackend API 120 with the A/V information recorded by the A/V recordingand communication device 130, and the backend API 120 receives thesignal 524 from the A/V recording and communication device 130. Thebackend API 120 may then process information in the received signal 524,and may store the A/V information and/or forward the A/V information tothe storage device 116 for storing.

If, however, the detected motion is within the defined radius around theA/V recording and communication device 130, then with reference to FIG.21B the camera 134 records video images of the field of view of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 and the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 sends a signal 524 to the backend API 120 withthe A/V information recorded by the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130, and the backend API 120 receives the signal 524 from the A/Vrecording and communication device 130. The backend API 120 may thenprocess information in the received signal 524, and may store the A/Vinformation and/or forward the A/V information to the storage device 116for storing. The backend API 120 also sends a signal 526 to the user'sclient device 114 with the A/V information (such as in the form ofstreaming audio and/or video) and a motion alert.

In some embodiments, the camera 134 of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 may record video images of the field of view ofthe A/V recording and communication device 130 before motion isdetected. For example, in some embodiments the camera 134 maycontinually record video images of the field of view of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130, regardless of whether motion hasbeen detected or not. Thus, the processes described herein, includingthe process described above with reference to FIG. 21, are not limitedto beginning recording of video images only after motion has beendetected. However, in some embodiments motion detection may serve as atrigger for storing recorded video images for later retrieval and/orreview. For example, while the camera 134 may continually record videoimages, those images may be stored for only a short time, such as in arolling buffer. When motion is detected, the recorded video imageswithin a window of time around the detected motion may be stored in amore permanent location, such as in non-volatile memory or storage (suchas on a magnetic disc). Examples of A/V recording and communicationdevices in which the camera continually records video images aredescribed in US Patent Application Ser. No. 62/308,746, filed on Mar.15, 2016, and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 15/459,076 and15/459,087, filed on Mar. 15, 2017, all of which are incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties as if fully set forth.

As described above, in some embodiments a user may select (or toggle ONand OFF) one or more zones (areas of the field of view of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130) to be active or inactive formotion alerts (“motion alert zones”), and select (or toggle ON and OFF)one or more zones to be active or inactive for motion detection (“motiondetection zones”). FIGS. 22-25 are screenshots of one example of a GUI530 for selecting motion alert zones and motion detection zones(collectively “motion zones”) or toggling motion zones ON or OFFaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure. In one example, theuser may modify settings by selecting a menu choice from within asoftware application installed on the user's client device 114. Withreference to FIG. 22, upon selecting the menu choice for modifying themotion zones settings of the A/V recording and communication device 130,the software application may display, on a display 806 (FIG. 30) of theuser's client device 114, a diagram 532 of the field of view about theA/V recording and communication device 130. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 22, the diagram 532 is a top view, but inalternative embodiments the diagram 532 may be presented from adifferent perspective, such as a front view or a side view.

With reference to FIG. 22, the diagram 532 may indicate the motion zones534 within the field of view, with each zone delineated by boundarylines 536 and enumerated with a unique zone identifier, such as a number(Zones 1-6). The zone diagram 532 further includes an ON/OFF indicator538 for each motion zone 534, and includes contrasting colors for motionzones 534, such as a darker color for motion zones 534 that are ON (Zone6) and a lighter color for motion zones 534 that are OFF (Zone 4). Inthe configuration of FIG. 22, Zones 1, 2, 3, and 6 are ON, while Zones 4and 5 are OFF. The user may toggle selected ones of the motion zones 534ON and OFF by individually selecting each zone 534. For example, if thedisplay 806 of the user's client device 114 is a touchscreen, the usermay toggle a selected motion zone 534 by touching that area of thetouchscreen. In another example, the user may select motion zones 534 totoggle ON/OFF by clicking on those zones in the GUI 530 using a pointingdevice such as a mouse or a trackball. Motion alert zones 534 that areON will trigger motion alerts when motion is detected in those zones534, while no motion alerts will be triggered for any motion alert zones534 that are OFF. Motion detection zones 534 that are ON will triggermotion detection when motion is detected in those zones, while no motiondetection will be triggered for any motion detection zones 534 that areOFF.

In certain of the present embodiments, the user may toggle individualmotion zones 534 ON and OFF independently of the other motion zones 534,such that any combination of motion zones 534 may be ON at any giventime. For example, FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate some possible, andnon-limiting, combinations. With reference to FIG. 22, Zones 1, 2, 3,and 6 are ON, while Zones 4 and 5 are OFF. With reference to FIG. 23,Zones 2, 3, 4, and 6 are ON, while Zones 1 and 5 are OFF. Other examplecombinations include, without limitation, Zones 2, 4, and 6 ON and Zones1, 3, and 5 OFF; and Zones 1, 5, and 6 ON and Zones 2-4 OFF.

With further reference to FIG. 22, the current motion zone setting isindicated on the diagram 532 by contrasting colors or shades of the samecolor, with darker areas indicating motion zones 534 that are active orON, where the A/V recording and communication device 130 will detectmotion and/or trigger motion alerts, and lighter areas indicating motionzones 534 that are inactive or OFF, where the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 will not detect motion and/or not triggermotion alerts. In the present embodiments, the first motion zone setting(for motion alerts) and the second motion zone setting (for motiondetection) may be set/adjusted on separate screens within theapplication executing on the user's client device 114, and each screenmay include an indicator, such as text (not shown), that indicates tothe user which setting is being adjusted on that screen. Alternatively,or in addition, the application executing on the user's client device114 may show the user one or more prompts before each screen isdisplayed, or while each screen is displayed, on the client device 114,with each prompt indicating which setting will be adjusted on the nextscreen, or on the current screen.

With reference to FIG. 22, the GUI 530 further includes a SAVE button540. When the user has set a desired motion zone configuration bytoggling selected ones of the motion zones 534 ON and OFF, he or she mayselect the SAVE button 540 to update the motion zone configurationsetting. The user may then close the zone diagram 532 by selecting theBACK button 542, which may return the user to a previous screen (notshown) within the software application.

With reference to FIGS. 24 and 25, the motion range adjustment aspectdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 17-19 may be combined with themotion zone configuration aspect described above with respect to FIGS.22 and 23. For example, moving the slider widget 544 down may decreasethe motion sensitivity range while also toggling motion zones 534 OFF(FIG. 24), and moving the slider widget 544 up may increase the motionsensitivity range while also toggling motion zones 534 ON (FIG. 25).

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a process accordingto the present disclosure. According to the process shown in FIG. 26, auser may remotely modify the motion zone configuration settings of anA/V recording and communication device, such as the A/V doorbell 100(FIG. 1) or the A/V recording and communication device 130 (FIG. 2). Atblock B600, a diagram of the field of view about the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 is displayed on a display of the user's clientdevice 114. The diagram may be the same as, or similar to, the diagram532 described above with reference to FIGS. 22-25. The displaying of thediagram 532 on the display of the user's client device 114 may beperformed by application software executing on the user's client device114, for example.

With further reference to FIG. 26, at block B602 the process determineswhether an input has been received to toggle ON or OFF a motion alertzone 534 of the A/V recording and communication device 130. The inputmay come from the user, for example by selecting one or more motionzones 534 on a motion alert zone adjustment screen displayed on thedisplay 806 (FIG. 30), as described above with reference to FIGS. 22-25,followed by selecting the SAVE button 540. If an input is received totoggle ON or OFF a motion alert zone 534 of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130, then the process moves to block B604, wherethe selected motion alert zone(s) 534 of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 is/are toggled ON or OFF and the changedsetting is saved. If, however, no input is received to toggle ON or OFFa motion alert zone 534 of the A/V recording and communication device130, then the process moves to block B606.

At block B606, the process determines whether an input has been receivedto toggle ON or OFF a motion detection zone 534 of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. The input may come from the user, for exampleby selecting one or more motion zones 534 on a motion detection zoneadjustment screen displayed on the display 806 (FIG. 30), as describedabove with reference to FIGS. 22-25, followed by selecting the SAVEbutton 540. If an input is received to toggle ON or OFF a motiondetection zone 534 of the A/V recording and communication device 130,then the process moves to block B608, where the selected motiondetection zone(s) 534 of the A/V recording and communication device 130is/are toggled ON or OFF and the changed setting is saved. The processthen ends at block B610. If, however, no input is received to toggle ONor OFF a motion detection zone 534 of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130, then the process ends at block B610.

In certain embodiments, saving any changed settings may further comprisesending the changed settings to a network and/or a network device (suchas the network 112, the server 118, and/or the backend API 120 of FIG.1), from which the A/V recording and communication device 130 maysubsequently download the changed settings. For example, to implementthe new motion zone settings in the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130, the backend API 120 may communicate with the A/V recordingand communication device 130. In the process of the communication, thebackend API 120 may provide the updated user settings and instruct theA/V recording and communication device 130 to overwrite any previoussettings.

FIG. 26A is a sequence diagram illustrating an aspect of the process ofFIG. 26. As described above with reference to FIG. 26, one or more userinputs may be received to adjust (toggle ON or OFF) one or more motionalert zones 534 of the A/V recording and communication device 130 and/orto adjust (toggle ON or OFF) one or more motion detection zones 534 ofthe A/V recording and communication device 130. With reference to FIG.26A, after the input(s) are received at the user's client device 114,the user's client device 114 may send a signal 612 to the backend API120, and the backend API 120 may receive the signal 612 from the user'sclient device 114. The signal 612 may include the adjusted motion alertzone(s) 534 and/or the adjusted motion detection zone(s) 534. Afterreceiving the signal 612 from the user's client device 114, the backendAPI 120 may send a signal 614 to the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130, and the A/V recording and communication device 130 mayreceive the signal 614 from the backend API 120. The signal 614 mayinclude the adjusted motion alert zone(s) 534 and/or the adjusted motiondetection zone(s) 534. After receiving the signal 614 from the backendAPI 120, the A/V recording and communication device 130 may execute acommand included in the signal 614 to apply new settings comprising theadjusted motion alert zone(s) 534 and/or the adjusted motion detectionzone(s) 534.

After the motion zone settings of the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 are changed, as described above, the user may then receivemotion alerts consistent with the changed settings, and the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 may record audio and videofootage consistent with the changed settings. For example, withreference to FIGS. 22 and 23, the user may set the motion zones 1, 2, 3,and 6 (FIG. 22) to be active for motion alerts, and the user may set themotion zones 2, 3, 4, and 6 (FIG. 23) to be active for motion detection.The user will then receive motion alerts only for detected motion thatoccurs within the zone(s) 534 that are active for motion alerts. Thus,with the settings as described above for FIGS. 22 and 23, for anydetected motion that occurs Zone 4 the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 will record audio and video footage for that motion, but theuser will not receive a motion alert.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart that illustrates the foregoing process accordingto the present disclosure. At block B616, motion is detected within thefield of view of the A/V recording and communication device 130. Theprocess then moves to block B618, where it is determined whether thedetected motion is within a defined zone around the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. The defined zone may correspond to an activemotion alert zone 534, as described above with reference to FIGS. 22-25.In some embodiments, the microcontroller 163 (FIG. 12) may make thedetermination of whether the detected motion is within a defined zonearound the A/V recording and communication device 130. If it isdetermined at block B618 that the detected motion is not within adefined zone, then the process moves to block B620, where the camera 134records video images of the field of view of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130, but the communication module 164 of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 does not transmit a motion alertto the user (such as to the user's client device 114). If, however, itis determined at block B618 that the detected motion is within a definedzone, then the process moves to block B622, where the camera 134 recordsvideo images of the field of view of the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130, and the communication module 164 of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 transmits a motion alert to the user (such asto the user's client device 114).

FIGS. 27A and 27B are sequence diagrams illustrating aspects of theprocess of FIG. 27. As described above with reference to FIG. 27, motionmay be detected within the field of view of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130, and it may be determined whether the detectedmotion is within a defined zone around the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. If the detected motion is not within thedefined zone around the A/V recording and communication device 130, thenwith reference to FIG. 27A the camera 134 records video images of thefield of view of the A/V recording and communication device 130 and theA/V recording and communication device 130 sends a signal 624 to thebackend API 120 with the A/V information recorded by the A/V recordingand communication device 130, and the backend API 120 receives thesignal 624 from the A/V recording and communication device 130. Thebackend API 120 may then process information in the received signal 624,and may store the A/V information and/or forward the A/V information tothe storage device 116 for storing.

If, however, the detected motion is within the defined zone around theA/V recording and communication device 130, then with reference to FIG.27B the camera 134 records video images of the field of view of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 and the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 sends a signal 626 to the backend API 120 withthe A/V information recorded by the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 and a motion alert, and the backend API 120 receives thesignal 626 from the A/V recording and communication device 130. Thebackend API 120 may then process information in the received signal 626,and may store the A/V information and/or forward the A/V information tothe storage device 116 for storing. The backend API 120 also sends asignal 628 to the user's client device 114 with the A/V information(such as in the form of streaming audio and/or video) and a motionalert.

In some embodiments, the camera 134 of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 may record video images of the field of view ofthe A/V recording and communication device 130 before motion isdetected. For example, in some embodiments the camera 134 maycontinually record video images of the field of view of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130, regardless of whether motion hasbeen detected or not. Thus, the processes described herein, includingthe process described above with reference to FIG. 27, are not limitedto beginning recording of video images only after motion has beendetected. However, in some embodiments motion detection may serve as atrigger for storing recorded video images for later retrieval and/orreview. For example, while the camera 134 may continually record videoimages, those images may be stored for only a short time, such as in arolling buffer. When motion is detected, the recorded video imageswithin a window of time around the detected motion may be stored in amore permanent location, such as in non-volatile memory or storage (suchas on a magnetic disc). Examples of A/V recording and communicationdevices in which the camera continually records video images aredescribed in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/308,746, filed on Mar.15, 2016, and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 15/459,076 and15/459,087, filed on Mar. 15, 2017, all of which are incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties as if fully set forth.

In some embodiments, a process for selecting or designating motion zones534 may present the user with a visual representation of the field ofview of the camera. For example, an application executing on the user'sclient device 114, 800 (FIG. 30), such as a smartphone, may show a liveview from the camera of the user's A/V recording and communicationdevice on the display 806 of the user's client device 800. The processmay prompt the user to designate one or more motion zones 534 byselecting areas on the display 806 of the user's client device 800. Forexample, the user may draw one or more polygons on the display 806 todesignate the motion zone(s) 534. If the display 806 of the user'sclient device 800 is a touchscreen, the user may designate the motionzone(s) 534 by tracing the polygon(s) on the display 806 with his or herfinger. The process may enable the user to designate motion zone(s) 534having any shape and/or number of sides. For example, the motion zone(s)534 may be regular polygons or any type of irregular polygons. Theprocess may allow the user to designate any number of motion zones 534,such as one motion zone 534, two motion zones 534, three motion zones534, etc. When all desired motion zones 534 have been created, theprocess may prompt the user to save the motion zones 534, after whichthe created motion zones 534 may be sent from the user's client device800 to a device in the network, such as the backend API 120 (FIG. 1) ora server 900C (FIG. 31), and to the user's A/V recording andcommunication device 130 via the user's wireless network 110 (FIG. 1).Further examples of selecting or designating motion zones 534 using alive view from the camera of the user's A/V recording and communicationdevice are described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/308,746,filed on Mar. 15, 2016, and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 15/459,076and 15/459,087, filed on Mar. 15, 2017, all of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties as if fully set forth.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart that illustrates another process according to thepresent disclosure. At block B650, an object is detected within thefield of view of the A/V recording and communication device 130. Theprocess then moves to block B652, where it is determined whether thecharacteristics of the detected object meet one or more definedparameters. In some embodiments, the defined parameter(s) may comprise,for example, a size of the detected object. For example, if the size ofthe detected object is above a threshold, then the defined parameter(s)may be met, and if the size of the detected object is below thethreshold, then the defined parameter(s) may not be met. In someembodiments, the microcontroller 163 (FIG. 12) may make thedetermination of whether the characteristics of the detected object meetthe defined parameter(s). If it is determined at block B652 that thecharacteristics of the detected object do not meet the definedparameter(s), then the process moves to block B654, where the camera 134records video images of the field of view of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130, but the communication module 164 of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 does not transmit a motion alertto the user (such as to the user's client device 114). If, however, itis determined at block B652 that the characteristics of the detectedobject meet the defined parameter(s), then the process moves to blockB656, where the camera 134 records video images of the field of view ofthe A/V recording and communication device 130, and the communicationmodule 164 of the A/V recording and communication device 130 transmits amotion alert to the user (such as to the user's client device 114).

FIG. 29 is a flowchart that illustrates another process according to thepresent disclosure. At block B660, motion is detected within the fieldof view of the A/V recording and communication device 130. The processthen moves to block B662, where it is determined whether thecharacteristics of the detected motion meet one or more definedparameters. In some embodiments, the defined parameter(s) may comprise,for example, a magnitude of the detected motion. For example, if themagnitude of the detected motion is above a threshold, then the definedparameter(s) may be met, and if the magnitude of the detected motion isbelow the threshold, then the defined parameter(s) may not be met. Insome embodiments, the microcontroller 163 (FIG. 12) may make thedetermination of whether the characteristics of the detected motion meetthe defined parameter(s). If it is determined at block B662 that thecharacteristics of the detected motion do not meet the definedparameter(s), then the process moves to block B664, where the camera 134records video images of the field of view of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130, but the communication module 164 of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 does not transmit a motion alertto the user (such as to the user's client device 114). If, however, itis determined at block B662 that the characteristics of the detectedmotion meet the defined parameter(s), then the process moves to blockB666, where the camera 134 records video images of the field of view ofthe A/V recording and communication device 130, and the communicationmodule 164 of the A/V recording and communication device 130 transmits amotion alert to the user (such as to the user's client device 114).

As described above, the present embodiments advantageously enable audioand/or video footage to be recorded by an A/V recording andcommunication device without generating a motion alert for the user. Therecorded footage can subsequently be shared with law enforcement to aidin the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of criminalperpetrators. Example systems and methods for sharing video footage fromA/V recording and communication devices with law enforcement aredescribed in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/270,373 filed on Dec.21, 2015, U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/271,186 filed on Dec. 22,2015, U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/288,971 filed on Jan. 29,2016, and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 15/387,444 and 15/387,471,filed on Dec. 21, 2016, all of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties as if fully set forth.

The present disclosure describes several embodiments with reference tothe A/V recording and communication doorbell 130 illustrated in FIGS.2-12. The doorbell 130 includes the passive infrared sensors 144, whichare used to detect motion. The present embodiments, however, are notlimited to the A/V recording and communication doorbell 130, nor are thepresent embodiments limited to detecting motion with passive IR sensors.The present embodiments are applicable to all types of A/V recording andcommunication devices. For example, the present embodiments areapplicable to A/V recording and communication devices that use a camerafor motion detection. Examples of A/V recording and communicationdevices in which the camera is used for motion detection are describedin US Patent Application Ser. No. 62/308,746, filed on Mar. 15, 2016,and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 15/459,076 and 15/459,087, filedon Mar. 15, 2017, all of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties as if fully set forth.

FIG. 30 is a functional block diagram of a client device 800 on whichthe present embodiments may be implemented according to various aspectsof the present disclosure. The user's client device 114 described withreference to FIG. 1 may include some or all of the components and/orfunctionality of the client device 800. The client device 800 maycomprise, for example, a smartphone.

With reference to FIG. 30, the client device 800 includes a processor802, a memory 804, a user interface 806, a communication module 808, anda dataport 810. These components are communicatively coupled together byan interconnect bus 812. The processor 802 may include any processorused in smartphones and/or portable computing devices, such as an ARMprocessor (a processor based on the RISC (reduced instruction setcomputer) architecture developed by Advanced RISC Machines (ARM).). Insome embodiments, the processor 802 may include one or more otherprocessors, such as one or more conventional microprocessors, and/or oneor more supplementary co-processors, such as math co-processors.

The memory 804 may include both operating memory, such as random accessmemory (RAM), as well as data storage, such as read-only memory (ROM),hard drives, flash memory, or any other suitable memory/storage element.The memory 804 may include removable memory elements, such as aCompactFlash card, a MultiMediaCard (MMC), and/or a Secure Digital (SD)card. In some embodiments, the memory 804 may comprise a combination ofmagnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor memory, and may include, forexample, RAM, ROM, flash drive, and/or a hard disk or drive. Theprocessor 802 and the memory 804 each may be, for example, locatedentirely within a single device, or may be connected to each other by acommunication medium, such as a USB port, a serial port cable, a coaxialcable, an Ethernet-type cable, a telephone line, a radio frequencytransceiver, or other similar wireless or wired medium or combination ofthe foregoing. For example, the processor 802 may be connected to thememory 804 via the dataport 810.

The user interface 806 may include any user interface or presentationelements suitable for a smartphone and/or a portable computing device,such as a keypad, a display screen, a touchscreen, a microphone, and aspeaker. The communication module 808 is configured to handlecommunication links between the client device 800 and other, externaldevices or receivers, and to route incoming/outgoing data appropriately.For example, inbound data from the dataport 810 may be routed throughthe communication module 808 before being directed to the processor 802,and outbound data from the processor 802 may be routed through thecommunication module 808 before being directed to the dataport 810. Thecommunication module 808 may include one or more transceiver modulescapable of transmitting and receiving data, and using, for example, oneor more protocols and/or technologies, such as GSM, UMTS (3GSM), IS-95(CDMA one), IS-2000 (CDMA 2000), LTE, FDMA, TDMA, W-CDMA, CDMA, OFDMA,Wi-Fi, WiMAX, or any other protocol and/or technology.

The dataport 810 may be any type of connector used for physicallyinterfacing with a smartphone and/or a portable computing device, suchas a mini-USB port or an IPHONE®/IPOD® 30-pin connector or LIGHTNING®connector. In other embodiments, the dataport 810 may include multiplecommunication channels for simultaneous communication with, for example,other processors, servers, and/or client terminals.

The memory 804 may store instructions for communicating with othersystems, such as a computer. The memory 804 may store, for example, aprogram (e.g., computer program code) adapted to direct the processor802 in accordance with the present embodiments. The instructions alsomay include program elements, such as an operating system. Whileexecution of sequences of instructions in the program causes theprocessor 802 to perform the process steps described herein, hard-wiredcircuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with,software/firmware instructions for implementation of the processes ofthe present embodiments. Thus, the present embodiments are not limitedto any specific combination of hardware and software.

FIG. 31 is a functional block diagram of a general-purpose computingsystem on which the present embodiments may be implemented according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure. The computer system 900 maybe embodied in at least one of a personal computer (also referred to asa desktop computer) 900A, a portable computer (also referred to as alaptop or notebook computer) 900B, and/or a server 900C. A server is acomputer program and/or a machine that waits for requests from othermachines or software (clients) and responds to them. A server typicallyprocesses data. The purpose of a server is to share data and/or hardwareand/or software resources among clients. This architecture is called theclient-server model. The clients may run on the same computer or mayconnect to the server over a network. Examples of computing serversinclude database servers, file servers, mail servers, print servers, webservers, game servers, and application servers. The term server may beconstrued broadly to include any computerized process that shares aresource to one or more client processes.

The computer system 900 may execute at least some of the operationsdescribed above. The computer system 900 may include at least oneprocessor 910, memory 920, at least one storage device 930, andinput/output (I/O) devices 940. Some or all of the components 910, 920,930, 940 may be interconnected via a system bus 950. The processor 910may be single- or multi-threaded and may have one or more cores. Theprocessor 910 may execute instructions, such as those stored in thememory 920 and/or in the storage device 930. Information may be receivedand output using one or more I/O devices 940.

The memory 920 may store information, and may be a computer-readablemedium, such as volatile or non-volatile memory. The storage device(s)930 may provide storage for the system 900, and may be acomputer-readable medium. In various aspects, the storage device(s) 930may be a flash memory device, a hard disk device, an optical diskdevice, a tape device, or any other type of storage device.

The I/O devices 940 may provide input/output operations for the system900. The I/O devices 940 may include a keyboard, a pointing device,and/or a microphone. The I/O devices 940 may further include a displayunit for displaying graphical user interfaces, a speaker, and/or aprinter. External data may be stored in one or more accessible externaldatabases 960.

The features of the present embodiments described herein may beimplemented in digital electronic circuitry, and/or in computerhardware, firmware, software, and/or in combinations thereof. Featuresof the present embodiments may be implemented in a computer programproduct tangibly embodied in an information carrier, such as amachine-readable storage device, and/or in a propagated signal, forexecution by a programmable processor. Embodiments of the present methodsteps may be performed by a programmable processor executing a programof instructions to perform functions of the described implementations byoperating on input data and generating output.

The features of the present embodiments described herein may beimplemented in one or more computer programs that are executable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processorcoupled to receive data and/or instructions from, and to transmit dataand/or instructions to, a data storage system, at least one inputdevice, and at least one output device. A computer program may include aset of instructions that may be used, directly or indirectly, in acomputer to perform a certain activity or bring about a certain result.A computer program may be written in any form of programming language,including compiled or interpreted languages, and it may be deployed inany form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component,subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.

Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructions mayinclude, for example, both general and special purpose processors,and/or the sole processor or one of multiple processors of any kind ofcomputer. Generally, a processor may receive instructions and/or datafrom a read only memory (ROM), or a random access memory (RAM), or both.Such a computer may include a processor for executing instructions andone or more memories for storing instructions and/or data.

Generally, a computer may also include, or be operatively coupled tocommunicate with, one or more mass storage devices for storing datafiles. Such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disksand/or removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and/or optical disks.Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer programinstructions and/or data may include all forms of non-volatile memory,including for example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM,EEPROM, and flash memory devices, magnetic disks such as internal harddisks and removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROM and DVD-ROMdisks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, orincorporated in, one or more ASICs (application-specific integratedcircuits).

To provide for interaction with a user, the features of the presentembodiments may be implemented on a computer having a display device,such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displayinginformation to the user. The computer may further include a keyboard, apointing device, such as a mouse or a trackball, and/or a touchscreen bywhich the user may provide input to the computer.

The features of the present embodiments may be implemented in a computersystem that includes a back-end component, such as a data server, and/orthat includes a middleware component, such as an application server oran Internet server, and/or that includes a front-end component, such asa client computer having a graphical user interface (GUI) and/or anInternet browser, or any combination of these. The components of thesystem may be connected by any form or medium of digital datacommunication, such as a communication network. Examples ofcommunication networks may include, for example, a LAN (local areanetwork), a WAN (wide area network), and/or the computers and networksforming the Internet.

The computer system may include clients and servers. A client and servermay be remote from each other and interact through a network, such asthose described herein. The relationship of client and server may ariseby virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers andhaving a client-server relationship to each other.

The above description presents the best mode contemplated for carryingout the present embodiments, and of the manner and process of practicingthem, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable anyperson skilled in the art to which they pertain to practice theseembodiments. The present embodiments are, however, susceptible tomodifications and alternate constructions from those discussed abovethat are fully equivalent. Consequently, the present invention is notlimited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, thepresent invention covers all modifications and alternate constructionscoming within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Forexample, the steps in the processes described herein need not beperformed in the same order as they have been presented, and may beperformed in any order(s). Further, steps that have been presented asbeing performed separately may in alternative embodiments be performedconcurrently. Likewise, steps that have been presented as beingperformed concurrently may in alternative embodiments be performedseparately.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for an audio/video(A/V) recording and communication device, the method comprising:displaying, on a display of a computing device, a diagram of a field ofview about the A/V recording and communication device; determiningwhether an input has been received to adjust a motion alert range of theA/V recording and communication device; when an input has been receivedto adjust the motion alert range of the A/V recording and communicationdevice, increasing or decreasing the motion alert range of the A/Vrecording and communication device; determining whether an input hasbeen received to adjust a motion detection range of the A/V recordingand communication device; when an input has been received to adjust themotion detection range of the A/V recording and communication device,increasing or decreasing the motion detection range of the A/V recordingand communication device; determining whether an input has been receivedto save any changed settings; and when an input has been received tosave any changed settings, saving the changed settings.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the A/V recording and communication device includes aset of motion sensors.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the diagramcomprises a set of motion zones, and wherein each of the motion zonescorresponds to an area of a field of view of at least one of the set ofmotion sensors.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether aninput has been received to adjust the motion alert range or the motiondetection range of the A/V recording and communication device comprisesdetecting movement of a slider widget on the display of the computingdevice.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising indicating a currentsetting of the motion alert range of the A/V recording and communicationdevice with contrasting colors or shades of the same color on thedisplay of the computing device.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein adarker area indicates an area where the A/V recording and communicationdevice will generate a motion alert, and a lighter area indicates anarea where the A/V recording and communication device will not generatea motion alert.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising indicating acurrent setting of the motion detection range of the A/V recording andcommunication device with contrasting colors or shades of the same coloron the display of the computing device.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein a darker area indicates an area where the A/V recording andcommunication device will detect motion, and a lighter area indicates anarea where the A/V recording and communication device will not detectmotion.
 9. A non-transitory machine readable medium of an electronicdevice storing an application executable by at least one processing unitof the electronic device, the application comprising sets ofinstructions for: displaying, on a display of a computing device, adiagram of a field of view about the A/V recording and communicationdevice; determining whether an input has been received to toggle on oroff a motion alert zone of the A/V recording and communication device;when an input has been received to toggle on or off a motion alert zoneof the A/V recording and communication device, toggling on or off aselected motion alert zone of the A/V recording and communicationdevice; determining whether an input has been received to toggle on oroff a motion detection zone of the A/V recording and communicationdevice; when an input has been received to toggle on or off a motiondetection zone of the A/V recording and communication device, togglingon or off a selected motion detection zone of the A/V recording andcommunication device; determining whether an input has been received tosave any changed settings; and when an input has been received to saveany changed settings, saving the changed settings.
 10. Thenon-transitory machine readable medium of claim 9, wherein the A/Vrecording and communication device includes at least one motion sensor.11. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 10, wherein thediagram comprises at least one motion zone that corresponds to an areaof a field of view of the at least one motion sensor.
 12. Thenon-transitory machine readable medium of claim 9, wherein the set ofinstructions for determining whether an input has been received totoggle on or off the motion alert zone of the A/V recording andcommunication device comprises a set of instructions for detecting aselection of the motion alert zone on the display of the computingdevice.
 13. The non-transitory machine readable of claim 9, wherein theset of instructions for determining whether an input has been receivedto toggle on or off the motion detection zone of the A/V recording andcommunication device comprises a set of instructions for detecting aselection of the motion detection zone on the display of the computingdevice.
 14. The non-transitory machine readable of claim 9, wherein theapplication further comprises a set of instructions for indicatingcurrent settings of a plurality of motion alert zones of the A/Vrecording and communication device with contrasting colors or shades ofthe same color on the display of the computing device.
 15. Thenon-transitory machine readable of claim 14, wherein darker areasindicate motion alert zones where the A/V recording and communicationdevice will generate a motion alert, and lighter areas indicate motionalert zones where the A/V recording and communication device will notgenerate a motion alert.
 16. The non-transitory machine readable ofclaim 9, wherein the application further comprises a set of instructionsfor indicating current settings of a plurality of motion detection zonesof the A/V recording and communication device with contrasting colors orshades of the same color on the display of the computing device.
 17. Thenon-transitory machine readable of claim 16, wherein darker areasindicate motion detection zones where the A/V recording andcommunication device will detect motion, and lighter areas indicatemotion detection zones where the A/V recording and communication devicewill not detect motion.
 18. A method for an audio/video (A/V) recordingand communication device, the A/V recording and communication deviceincluding a camera, a processor, and a communication module, the methodcomprising: detecting motion within a field of view of the camera of theA/V recording and communication device; recording video images capturedwithin the field of view of the camera of the A/V recording andcommunication device; determining, at the processor, whether thedetected motion is within a defined radius around the A/V recording andcommunication device; and when the detected motion is within the definedradius around the A/V recording and communication device, transmitting,by the communication module, a motion alert to at least one clientdevice.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising, beforedetermining whether the detected motion is within the defined radius,transmitting, by the communication module, the recorded video images tothe at least one client device.
 20. The method of claim 18 furthercomprising, when the detected motion is outside the defined radiusaround the A/V recording and communication device, forgoingtransmitting, by the communication module, the motion alert to the atleast one client device.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the radiusaround the A/V recording and communication device is defined by a userthrough a client device associated with the A/V recording andcommunication device.
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the devicecomprises a plurality of motion sensors, and wherein the defined radiuscomprises a plurality of motion zones each of which corresponds to anarea of a field of view of at least one of the plurality of motionsensors.